Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

A Resolution to Study How Pennsylvania Accounts for and Analyzes Forensic Evidence Kits

In the near future I plan to re-introduce SR 446 from last session, a resolution that would direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to review how Pennsylvania accounts for and analyzes forensic evidence kits (rape kits). The “Rape Kit Action Project” has brought to my attention that there are back logs of unanalyzed forensic kits across the nation and Pennsylvania and it is my intention to make sure we are testing all rape kits and testing them in a timely manner.

According to a study that the Rape Kit Action Project has done, there are at least 100,000 forensic evidence kits that are sitting untested or unaccounted for across the United States. I believe this is inexcusable and I will not have Pennsylvania be part of that statistic.

My hope is that this study will measure the depth of this problem in the Commonwealth and address it accordingly. If it is found that we do have backlogs and kits aren’t being tested in a timely manner it is my intention to introduce further legislation to address this serious issue.

Please join me in sponsoring this resolution that will be the first step in ensuring that all rape victims for whom a rape kit was collected will have a better opportunity for justice.